NWTTA NEWS

VOLUME 19 • ISSUE 3 Are you interested in being on FEBRUARY 2018 Central Executive? Adrien Amirault, Executive Director keep the same benefits that they received as a teacher. The NWTTA needs dedicated members to exist as a viable The Central Executive meets face-to-face three times a year organization. One very important role that members can in Yellowknife, have a number of teleconference meetings fill is to serve in Central Executive positions. The Central (some scheduled and others as needed), attend the Annual Executive oversees the business and operations of the Meeting of Central Council (AMCC) in the spring and finally, Association on behalf of the membership. They also chair attend the Regional Orientation sessions for their region in various committees, as well as having decision making the fall. authority for the affairs of the Association. They are expected to write reports on the committee work Four of the positions are voluntary. Three of these (Vice- that they do, as well as receive reports from the staff of President, Secretary-Treasurer and Member-at-Large) are Central Office. For more specific requirements of each role voted in by the entire membership for two year terms every please refer to Bylaws 6 and 7 of the NWTTA Handbook. second March. The fourth volunteer position is the Regional Presidents’ Representative, who is selected by the sitting Any member can be nominated to run for the positions of Regional Presidents annually in October. Vice-President, Secretary-Treasurer or Member-at-Large. The Regional Presidents’ Representative must be a sitting The position of President is a full-time paid position. The Regional President. President is also voted in by the entire membership for a two year term in March. The President is only able to serve It is a requirement that a member nominated for the positon two terms, for a total of four years. Remuneration for the of President have prior Regional and Central Executive President is 150% of the class 6 step 12 grid placement of experience. the GNWT contract. If the President is from a community Nominations are due by February 15, 2018. If you are outside of Yellowknife, relocation to Yellowknife from their interested in running and have further questions, please home community will be provided. The person may also contact someone at Central Office, or call an existing receive a small housing allowance if they need to keep a Central Executive Member for specific advice on their roles. residence in the community they were teaching in. There are Contact information is on the back page of the newsletter also a few differences in pay and benefits depending on the and in your NWTTA Pocket Planner as well as on the NWTTA NWTTA contract group they are coming from. Basically they website.

NWTTA NEWS • FEBRUARY 2018 1 INSIDE: Update from the President Survey Results Northern Lights Are you interested in being on Central Executive? 1 Feedback on STIP STIP - how is it working in 2017-2018? Fraser Oliver, President Online member survey conducted January 23-30, 2018. Full results have Update from the President bewen published in Member Area of NWTTA website. Feedback on STIP 2 In my many meetings with the Department of Survey Results: STIP - how is it Education and Superintendents the one topic that STIP time is divided into: Meet working in 2017-2018? 3 takes the lion’s share of our agenda is Strengthening • - 50% Teacher Self-Directed Professional Duties Justin Northern Lights - Justin Heron 3 Teachers Instructional Practices (STIP). The NWTTA • - 50% Collaborative Professional Learning Practices Heron has heard from our members about the Personal Collaborative Learning Activities (Superintendent/Principal directed) from Fort Smith for STIP - What is happening Professional Planning side of STIP (Days without (Fort Smith across the NWT 4 Generally speaking, has the identified STIP time during the current students) where 89% of our members have told us region) Kate Powell: Canada’s that they feel the improvements in teacher wellness 2017-2018 school year been split 50/50 as described above? Outstanding Principal 2018 6 has been felt from slight to significant. As school Q. Where did you grow up? Conference Corner 6 staffs and superintendents start to plan for next year’s Collaborative I grew up in Fort Smith and Winnipeg. School Profile 7 Learning Activities side of STIP, member feedback was needed. A report card of how teachers were feeling about these Collaborative Learning Q. What made you decide to become Member Engagement Leads to a teacher? Stronger NWTTA 9 Activities was necessary. I became a teacher to give back to my Northern Lights - Steve Elms 10 The NWTTA has heard through member meetings that, “yes”, there had community. Food First Foundation 10 been some successes, but there were also some challenges throughout the 2017-2018 school year. The NWTTA decided to survey the membership to How would you rate your satisfaction with the COLLABORATIVE Q. What do you teach? Wellness 11 have a better understanding of the successes or challenges, so if needed, PROFESSIONAL LEARNING PRACTICES time at your school? I am currently teaching Cree class Northern Lights - positive adjustments can be made as we move forward. Members also had Very Very at Joseph Burr Tyrrell Elementary Lorna Jones-Martin 11 Region Responded Satisfied Okay Dissatisfied an opportunity to give anecdotal comments with their responses. Satisfied Dissatisfied School. You’re coming to the conference CSFTNO 44% 8.3% 50% 25% 8.3% 8.3% February 19-21! Here are some As well as the NWTTA member survey, superintendents were asked to Beaufort-Delta 47% 27% 28.6% 23.8% 12.7% 7.9% Q. What do you enjoy most about things you need to know 12 share some details of what types of activities were occurring in their Dehcho 58% 24.2% 21.2% 27.3% 18.2% 9.1% teaching? 2018 NWT Educators’ Conference regions during the collaborative learning time of STIP. The idea was I enjoy seeing the the joy on my Countdown to February 19-21 13 Fort Smith 46% 57.1% 23.8% 19.1% 0 0 to share what was taking place across the different regions and give Sahtu 34% 14.3% 23.8% 38.1% 19% 4.8% students’ faces when they learn The story behind William opportunities to schools that might be doing similar collaborative learning South Slave 54% 25.7% 35.9% 20.5% 12.8% 5.1% new words and phrases in the Cree McDonald School Anti-Bullying to connect and share activities and findings. These details of what was Video 14 Tlicho 43% 51.7% 20.7% 24.1% 3.5% 0 language, also when they tell stories shared by superintendents can be seen on pages 4 & 5 of this newsletter. of being able to talk to their family in Last Call - China Odyssey Tour 15 YCS 68% 12.5% 28.1% 31.3% 17.2% 10.9% the language. Understanding Your Professional Other topics discussed in meetings with Department of Education and YK1 36% 25.3% 38% 30.4% 6.3% 0 Judgement - A Perspective from Superintendents include: NWT-wide 46% 26% 30.2% 27.1% 11.4% 5.3% Q. How do you engage your the Elementary Teachers’ students? Federation of Ontario 17 • Social Media attacks on members SUCCESSES - what are some successes of the STIP Collaborative Professional Learning Practices time at your school? I engage students by using a lot of How do I get involved with the • Teacher Recruitment and Retention, NWTTA? 18 Brainstormed ideas to engage parents---as a result 3X increase in parental engagement humour and respecting who they are. • Student Success Initiative (SSI) Brainstormed ideas to increase literacy and aboriginal language engagement--as a Northern Lights - Jessie Campbell 18 • Housing result literacy levels are up and more kids are engaged with their language. Rewarding To Do My Part Holiday Meals in Norman Wells 19 I chose to become a Cree teacher • Video surveillance in the classroom - Developing a policy CHALLENGES - what are some challenges of the STIP Collaborative because my grandmother worked Northern Lights - Gizelle Gaudon 19 Professional Learning Practices time at your school? Hay River and Fort Smith are completing the final tasks as they are hard revitalizing the Chipewyan Catching Up 21 The board level collaborative work is not very helpful. They have us working in getting ready to host the 2018 Arctic Winter Games. Exciting times for language, and my grandfather was a GNWT Education Leave 21 vertically integrated groups within our school, while dictating how we spend this time. fluent Cree speaker and I wanted to both communities and I know many teachers are involved in coaching, As a JK/K teacher, I am forced to collaborate on curriculum with the Grade 1/2 teacher. Northern Lights - Angie Fabien 23 organizing or volunteering for these games. Best of luck to both host There is not much common curriculum. It is more distracting than helpful. honour both of my grandparents. I love what I do working with kids and Newsletter Trivia 23 communities. Go Team NWT! SUGGESTIONS - what are some suggestions for change to the Aboriginal language and culture, it is 2016-2018 Central Executive 24 Mahsi Cho Collaborative Professional Learning Practices time at your school? very rewarding to do my part to teach Central Office Contact 24 To keep improving our use of it, we need to build the best teams we can and keep a new generation of Cree speakers. sharing and enhancing clarity of what effective collaboration looks like. We also need to ensure that paperwork is kept at a minimum so that as much time as possible is spent on improving teacher workload (the original reason for these days) and enhancing student learning efficiently.

2 NWTTA NEWS • FEBRUARY 2018 NWTTA NEWS • FEBRUARY 2018 3 Collaborative Learning Activities for STIP regularly scheduled STIP hours provided, the staff in each school Tlicho now have dedicated time to work collaboratively on a myriad of What is happening across the NWT topics, including student data, goal setting, instructional strategies Our two smallest outlying schools had a change in principal at the Fraser Oliver, President and assessment. end of the last year and many staff are new to PLCs … accordingly, Dehcho these schools are really working to build their knowledge and Superintendents were asked by the NWTTA to share some All schools are working on the development of Professional In addition to the work on Professional Learning Communities understanding of the solution tree model of PLCs and RTI. They are of the Collaborative Learning Activities occurring in their Learning Communities as directed by the Dehcho Divisional and the collaborative work of teachers, each school takes part in in the initial stages of doing so and I would suggest that the work reflects what the other three schools really worked on during 15- regions during STIP. This is the first of three years that Education Council using the information provided in the in- various other activities, including: 16/ 16-17 school year. schools in the NWT are living with our STIP agreement that service training at the Orientation and on a subsequent webinar. As our school district is new to PLCs, there is a lot of work on the Chief Albert Wright School, Tulita was developed out of the last round of negotiations. As Our three larger schools (Mezi Community School, Elizabeth organizational/structural piece of this aspect of collaborative • Collaborative writing assessments you will read below some schools are just starting on their Mackenzie Elementary School, Chief Jimmy Bruneau School) are work. journey to develop their collaborative learning plans while • Working together on report card outcomes and comments further along in this regard. Teachers continue to meet weekly others schools are further along having been at this process All schools have also been working on the cooperative teaching ?ehtseo Ayha School, Deline to review student achievement of key curricular outcomes, to for several years. There have been some challenges this component of the Inclusive Schooling Directive. The Regional discuss instructional strategies that support student learning, and year and many successes as well, but teachers, principals, Inclusive Schooling Coordinator has been supporting schools with • Book review “Creating Thinking Classrooms” by Gini- to identify necessary supports for struggling learners. Teacher this topic. Newman & Case. teams are at various places of proficiency and comfort (as is to be superintendents and the NWTTA are committed to work expected) so we continue to support them at the level they’re at. together to make adjustments (if needed) and continue to At Deh Gah Elementary and Secondary School teachers have • Collaborative goal setting for improving literacy, numeracy, Likewise, our school-based support teams of principals, PSTs, and move forward as we prepare for year 2 of our Collaborative worked on PowerSchool and Gradebook, Evaluation and and student mental wellness counselors (where available) are implementing an approach to tier Learning Activities. Assessment, Planning, Dene language, Self-Regulation and Daily Mackenzie Mountain School, Norman Wells two intervention support for students who are struggling to learn Five. in the area of reading: for some students this is an oral language Beaufort-Delta • Whole Region Writes collaborative marking delay so collaborative teacher teams at those grade levels are At Thomas Simpson School the staff work in PLCs on literacy focused there. The work being done in the tier one PLC teams 1. Gamification: The effect on student motivation and • collaborative goal setting using data (writing, reading, and and numeracy themes. Dene Kede and staff wellness were other directly informs the process of implementing tier two supports. performance at the post-secondary level. Computer games numeracy) and School Improvement planning topics. These schools are very early in the process of implementing tier are increasingly part of the daily activities of Canadian Chief T’Selehye School, Fort Good Hope two systemically in their schools so it is a steep learning curve this students of all ages and while have been shown to support Louie Norwegian, Kakisa and Chief Julian Yendo Schools arranged year. Again, teachers are at various levels of knowledge, comfort, student motivation and learning, however, can be challenging • Whole School Writes collaborative assessments teleconferences to discuss and develop strategies using the expertise and willingness in these next steps of the process – so to implement in the classroom. Gamification involves Teacher Helping Teacher model and to share resources for the again, the Board Office is working to support them where they are incorporating elements of computer games such as points, • Staff planning school activities, course delivery (at the high content areas. At Louie Norwegian School the teacher worked school) and school goals and to help them continue moving forward. leaderboards and badges into non-game contexts in order on PowerSchool and gradebook and Autism with the regional to take advantage of the motivation provided by a game Colville Lake School, Colville Lake consultants. The Kakisa principal/ teacher used the other Yellowknife Catholic Schools (YCS) environment. collaborative time for PowerSchool and Gradebook as well as • Collaboration to support a team-teaching environment visits to collaborate with staff at DehGah School in the area of Based on teacher input, Yellowknife Catholic Schools chose to 2. PLC Language Group: Goal - During the 2017-2018 school • Sharing of best practices and instructional strategies student support. Additional collaboration time at Chief Julian go with full days for STIP this year. We were very excited to have year, our PLC group will promote and increase the use of the Yendo School was spent on a school wide bullying prevention gained an opportunity for our teachers to work together in moving Gwich’in and Inuvialuktun languages in the school community South Slave & Fort Smith strategy, team teaching and self regulation. forward with our district vision. Our teams are district based, at East Three Secondary. The STIP initiative this year has given us the time and opportunity rather than school based. Eight teams were established with Bompas Elementary uses the collaboration time for student each team focusing on one of the following topics: Daily 5/Daily 3. PLC Group looking at Coping Strategies for Students: Goal to reinvigorate our Professional Learning Communitieis (PLCs) as a writing and assessment of writing and school discipline. 3, Innovative Learning Models, Indigenous Language and Culture, to provide a list of classroom interventions and materials to means to improving staff and student wellness and achievement. New Role of the PST, Curriculum Compacting, Play-Based Learning, teachers to differentiate the classroom environment. Create The focus of the South Slave collaborative learning teams, during At Charles Yohin and Charles Tetcho schools the main themes for Student Leadership and Inquiry Based Learning. a teacher resource kit for each classroom and then have small the principal directed time, has been on the 4 key questions (credit the collaboration time were: improving literacy and numeracy to Solution Tree): target groups to practice strategies. Target group is grade 8’s. competencies, self-regulation, student support planning and school improvement planning. 1. What do we want our students to learn? (Essential Learning Yellowknife Education District No. 1 (YK1) Commission Scolaire Francophone (CSFTNO) Outcomes [ELOs]) During our STIP time, YK1 teachers are focusing on using the Echo Dene School established PLC teams who worked model of Professional Learning Communities. Goals are set PLCs - groupings independently and then shared with the whole staff on the 2. How will we know if they’ve learned it? (common around student data and academic achievement. Teachers come • Literacy - JK to Grade 6 - very structured - 4 learning following themes: literacy, numeracy, attendance, culture and assessments) together in common Grade level teams to collaborate on teaching sequences this year events, positive behaviour intervention and supports, and safe, strategies, lesson design and planning, based on the data collected caring and healthy schools. 3. What are we doing if they haven’t learned it? (differentiation/ • Reading Apprenticeship - Grade 7 to 12 by the team. As well, during our STIP time teachers are focusing interventions) on learning strategies for Mathematics & Science using inquiry • Technology - Team based learning practices. Educational Assistants also receive Sahtu 4. What are we doing when they’ve already learned it? professional development in areas of communication, visuals and • Math - Grade 7 to 9 (differentiation/interventions) During the 2017-18 school year, the Sahtu DEC has been working strategies for supporting students with autism. These activities with principals to either implement or further develop the So far, it is working well. These teams meet every second Thursday involve a combination of district level collaboration and school Professional Learning Communities in each school. The principals In our recent round of school visits and meetings with individual for early dismissal. They also get dedicated PD opportunities with level collaboration. have identified a strong need to work on PLCs in their school teachers, we have been particularly impressed with the ELOs consultants we invite from different organizations. in order to prepare teachers to work collaboratively during the teachers have identified, the assessments they are aligning to STIP hours. Some schools have well established PLC groups who those ELOs and the innovative and effective ways that schools, engage in regular, on-going professional dialogue. Other schools collaborative learning teams and individual teachers are diligently rather have the opportunity for professional dialogue. With setting goals, tracking results and then using that information to inform their next steps.

4 NWTTANWTTA NEWS NEWS • FEBRUARY• APRIL 2017 2018 NWTTANWTTA NEWS NEWS • FEBRUARY• APRIL 2017 2018 5 Kate Powell School Profile Canada’s Outstanding Principal 2018 NWTTA Region: YCS (Yellowknife Catholic Schools) Congratulations to Kate Powell, Principal of Deninu School in Community: Yellowknife Fort Resolution (South Slave region), for being one of Canada’s School: École St. Patrick High School Oustanding Principals for 2018! Grade Range: Grade 8 to 12 Kate Powell is a committed educator who seeks to bring new Student Population: 500 experiences to her small isolated school. Staff: 40 Deninu School was facing issues of attendance, alienation, anti- social behaviours and high staff turnover. Kate’s instructional and relational leadership, as well as her focused collaborative approach, changed expectations, practice and the school’s culture.

Deninu School’s student population is approximately 99% Indigenous and Kate has worked to include traditions, art, sports, language and activities in the school. Dene Elders are honoured and welcomed in the school and a new Our Language curriculum is being implemented.

There are expanded elective student courses including welding, exchange visits from other parts of the country and advanced courses available via video conferencing.

Kate is unrelentingly positive in making substantial differences to transform learning and success at the Deninu School and for her Fort Resolution community.

Canada’s Outstanding Principals is awarded by The Learning Partnership, a national charity dedicated to enhancing publicly funded education to prepare students in Canada for a globally connected world by building partnerships between government, education and business. Conference Corner Upcoming Professional Development Conferences to Consider

Canadian Association of Principals Conference 2018 St. John’s, NL May 15-18, 2018 http://www.capnl2018.ca/registration/ École St. Patrick High School staff (not all staff available when photo taken) 2018 National Physical & Health Education Conference List below is name & home province/territory/country Whistler, BC May 17-19, 2018 Front Row (l-r) Back Row (l-r) http://www.phecanada.ca/whistler2018 Heather Burns - NS Kris Ballard - NB Christian Methot - QC Tobi Dusome - NS Thana Rahim - Iraq Stacy Applejohn - ON Patricia Oliver - NL Dianne Lafferty - ON EduTeach2018 Third Canadian International Conference on Don Reid - NL Eletha Curran - PE Scott Roos - BC Jean-Yves Drouin - ON Advances in Education, Teaching & Technology Seana Stewart - NS Alicia Larade - NS Nic Rivard - QC Deneze Nakehk’o - NT Catherine Coolen - NS Rob Hart - NT Michel Thoms - NL Toronto, ON Emma Smith - ON July 28-30, 2018 Sam Tidd - NB Thea Campbell - NS Loralea Wark - MB http://educationconference.info/ Brent Simmons - NS Thomas McOuat - NT Gerard Landry - NS

6 NWTTANWTTA NEWS NEWS • FEBRUARY• APRIL 2017 2018 NWTTANWTTA NEWS NEWS • FEBRUARY• APRIL 2017 2018 7 Member Engagement Leads to Stronger NWTTA Fraser Oliver, President to engage, involve and include our membership in decisions that will impact the NWTTA’s future and During the past two years of my term as President, its members.” the NWTTA has had two main focal points: Increasing Member Wellness and Increasing Member In my role as President I have made this quote my Engagement. Much has been done to increase mission statement. Listening to members, working member wellness with Starling Minds providing towards increasing teacher wellness and member online sessions to address anxiety, the EFAP engagement is important to me in my role as your (Employee and Family Assistant Program) available President. for live 24/7 support and STIP (Strengthening Teacher Instructional Practices) providing Personal Let me give you an example of how members voicing Professional Planning time for teachers to prepare their concerns and issues at these member meetings lessons, assess student work and Report Card Days. have impacted the present STIP Memorandum STIP has helped to reduce workloads for our members of Understanding that all NWTTA members are as well. Today I would like to spotlight the second experiencing this year. focal point, ”Increasing Member Engagement”. At these meetings, I have heard from members that Like member wellness, lots has been done over some Collaborative Learning activities have in fact the past couple of years to increase member added to teacher workload and that some of these engagement, but we still have a little ways to go. At activities are not very engaging or seen as relevant our last Annual Meeting of Central Council (AMCC) by our members. Yet I have also heard of some in April 2017, a new policy was passed by Central Collaborative Learning activities are running very Council called “Effective Regions”. The new policy smoothly and are very engaging and relevant. This encourages NWTTA regions to hold regular member information was shared with all Superintendents meetings (minimum of four per year), foster and and GNWT Department of Education, Culture and encourage discussion at these meetings, hold these Employment (ECE) personnel at our STIP meetings. meetings in an atmosphere of transparency and trust The information members shared with me was and promote active NWTTA membership. only shared with Superintendents and ECE from a territorial perspective and not by region or school. As these meetings are open to all NWTTA members, From these talks the NWTTA encouraged the I would encourage you to attend in person or join Superintendents to survey their teachers to ask three your LRO and call into the regional teleconference questions: call. Only three of our eight regions, Fort Smith, YCS and YK1 can hold face-to-face meetings since 1. What are some of the successes of the STIP plan all of their members live in the same community. to date? The other five regions have a teleconference style 2. What are some of the challenges teachers are meeting where regional executives, school LROs and experiencing? other NWTTA members call into a teleconference and share concerns and information that is relevant 3. What are some suggestions or changes needed to their NWTTA members. Central Office also to move forward? attends in person if possible or joins the regional teleconference. At all NWTTA meetings, the President By attending or calling into your regional member (me), Executive Director (Adrien) or Assistant meetings, sharing your issues with Superintendents Executive Director (David) are present to support and ECE and being engaged in your NWTTA is members, answer questions, listen to concerns or important and makes us a stronger association. issues and take direction from the members. Thank you for reaching out to me by email or phone “As President of the NWTTA I place priority on when you need support. It is my honour to be your listening to our membership and responding with President, representing all NWT teachers territorially openness, honesty and concern. I am committed and nationally.

8 NWTTANWTTA NEWS NEWS • FEBRUARY• APRIL 2017 2018 NWTTANWTTA NEWS NEWS • FEBRUARY• APRIL 2017 2018 9 Northern Lights Food First Wellness Northern Lights A partnership between the NWTTA and the GNWT Department Foundation of Education, Culture and Employment through the Education Tess Ondrack, Food First Coordinator Renewal Initiative now provides access for members to the Meet Starling Minds Health and Wellness Online Toolkit (Starling), The Food First Foundation is a Steve Elms developed specifically for educators by Dr. Andrew Miki and Meet registered charity whose mission from Yellowknife is based on Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT). Starling is Lorna Jones- (YK1 region) is to support food and nutrition Canadian, based out of Vancouver, BC. education programs in NWT schools Martin Q. Where did you with the goal of encouraging a There is no cost to NWTTA members to use Starling and from Inuvik (Beaufort- grow up? healthy population of children and confidentiality and privacy are assured through this program. Delta region) Bay Roberts, Newfoundland youth for future generations. Over More information on Starling, Q. Where did you grow the course of the 2017-18 school year, we have provided including introductory videos and up? Q. What made you decide to become a funding to around 2,500 NWT students via support for snack how to create an account can be I was born in teacher? and breakfast programs, purchase of kitchen equipment, our found in the Starling section of Twillingate, and raised nearby in Carter’s Cove, I’ve always wanted to be a teacher, even cooking program called Tastemakers and indoor gardening the Health & Wellness page of Newfoundland. as a young child I recall creating tests and efforts. the NWTTA website. lessons for my younger brother. Q. What made you decide to become a teacher? We are always looking for new ideas and would love to Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP) is a Q. What do you teach? I actually kind of detoured into teaching, after support teachers and administrators in making them a negotiated benefit for NWTTA members from all three my first undergrad degree in science. Some I teach grade 4 at NJ Macpherson School, reality! Some areas of interest to our organization include bargaining units (GNWT, YCS, YK1). This service provides 24/7 university friends were leaning toward the and am the Vice President of YK1 NWTTA incorporating traditional foods into school food programs confidential support services for assistance with work, health education field and I decided to give it a try Region. and working with elders and other community members to or life concerns. An EFAP brochure is available in the EFAP (and have never regretted it!). transfer traditional food knowledge to youth. If you have section of the Health & Wellness page of the NWTTA website. Q. What do you enjoy most about any ideas for the 2018-19 school year, please contact Tess at Q. What do you teach? teaching? [email protected]. English Helpline: 1-844-880-9142 I’ve been in the Special Needs/Student Seeing my students’ eyes light-up when French Helpline: 1-844-880-9143 Support field for most of my career, but most they understand something being taught. recently have been involved with PowerSchool English & French administration at the school board level as well Hearing Impaired Helpline: 1-877-338-0275 Q. How do you engage your students? as high school academic/career support. I try to include a lot of hands-on Online Counseling: www.shepellfgi.com/ecounselling activities, real world connections, and Q. What do you enjoy most about teaching? technology. I really enjoy working with students as they discover their academic and personal strengths ...and continue teaching my lesson and how that develops into post-secondary I did one of my internships at a school planning. In recent years there has been a focus and the principal of the school planned on relationship building with students and I on pulling a joke on my cooperating feel that this is crucial for anyone working in teacher. The principal had arranged for schools. the students to stand on their chairs at a certain time and the principal would Q. How do you engage your students? enter the classroom and be upset with Frequent check-ins with students lets them the cooperating teacher. The principal know that we care about them as well as being didn’t realize that I would be teaching available to them as they need support in their the lesson at that time. The clock changes studies and career planning. In lieu of sending Christmas cards during December 2017, the and the students stand on their chairs, I look at the teacher puzzled and he looks NWTTA has made a $500 donation to the Food First Foundation High school friends surprised I’m a teacher at me. The principal enters the room. I (Tess Ondrack, Coordinator in photo with NWTTA President Fraser Most of my high school friends would be VERY pull up a chair, stand on it and continue Oliver). surprised to know that I became a teacher as teaching my lesson. The principal I was incredibly shy and introverted. As many became a close and dear friend and we http://foodfirst.ca teachers will tell you though, it’s a lot easier chuckle about it to this day. to speak in front of a group of students than a group of your peers!

10 NWTTANWTTA NEWS NEWS • FEBRUARY• APRIL 2017 2018 NWTTANWTTA NEWS NEWS • FEBRUARY• APRIL 2017 2018 11 You’re coming to the conference February 19-21! 2018 NWT Educators’ Conference Here are some things you need to know Countdown to February 19-21

This information is for NWTTA members only. Non-NWTTA I’m staying at a hotel. What do I need for check- Amanda Mallon, Professional Development Coordinator delegate information would come from the person’s employer. in? We’re so looking forward to seeing you at the NWT How/when will I receive my conference You need to know which hotel you’re staying at. There will not be Educators’ Conference!! By this time, each NWTTA member lists at the airport to direct you. should know your workshop choices and have purchased session schedule? your social ticket if you wish to attend, your travel plans to Delegates are staying at seven different locations: Explorer Hotel, and from Yellowknife and where you will be sleeping and All conference delegates will be required to wear a provided name Chateau Nova, Days Inn, Capital Suites, Embleton House, Anderson tag during the conference to gain access to venues. Your final Thomson Tower, Watermark Tower. for some of you, who your roommate will be. If you are not sessions schedule will be included with your name tag. attending , your Alternative PD plans have been submitted. The hotel room and taxes for all delegates are being direct-paid by I want to take this opportunity to thank the conference Yellowknife Delegates: the NWTTA. Will receive their name tags through their LROs during the week of committee for all their assistance in choosing and February 12 When you arrive at the hotel most will require a piece of photo classifying sessions, advising on choices, providing back identification to confirm your identity to the name on the booking. up when needed, you’ll see some of them greeting you on Out-of-Town Delegates: The hotel will also request a credit card from you for any charges arrival. Will receive their name tags on check-in either at the airport on to your room. If you do not have a credit card to provide, the hotel arrival, or at your hotel in Yellowknife will lock out the telephone in the room and you will not be able to charge anything to your room (bills from the hotel’s lounge and/ If you are from out-of-town and not staying at a hotel or have not or restaurant). If you provide a credit card and charge items to your received your name tag prior to February 16, your name tag will be at room, when you check out those items will be charged to your credit the conference registration table at St. Pat’s/Weledeh School prior card. If you do not charge anything to your room, you will not owe to the keynote beginning. The registration table will open at 7:30 am anything to the hotel at check-out. on Monday, February 19. The Keynote will begin at 8:30 am. Am I getting per diems? I’m flying to the conference; when/how will I receive my flight itinerary and hotel All GNWT members from outside of Yellowknife will be receiving per diems. Per diems are being paid through Electronic Funds Transfer information? (EFT)/direct deposit. If your EFT Directive information has been provided to the NWTTA Finance Office ([email protected]) by All flight schedules and hotel information has been provided to LROs February 9, once your arrival for the conference has been confirmed, to share with members at their schools/work sites. Please ask your your per diem will be deposited on the first day of the conference, LRO for your flight and hotel information. If your LRO does not have Monday, February 19. If your EFT information is not provided by your flight or hotel information, please contact Amanda Mallon (pd@ February 9, your per diems will be paid out after the conference is nwtta.nt.ca / 867-873-5759) complete.

Delegates are flying to Yellowknife on both scheduled and charter Most per diem recipients will receive: $375 (3 x $100 overnight flights on seven different airlines: First Air, Canadian North, Air Tindi, in NT, no meals provided + 1 x $75 no overnight in NWT, no meals Northwright, Aklak Air, Simpson Air, South Nahanni Air provided). If your conference registration indicated that you did not require a hotel room, you will receive $50/night ($150 total) for Some delegates are driving to Yellowknife for the conference - their private accommodations. If you requested a private hotel room (all hotel information was included on the list provided to LROs. requests have been accommodated), your per diem will be reduced by $95/night (3 x $95 = $285). Flight/Luggage Information

Be prepared to show a piece of goverment issued photo Am I able to claim expenses incurred during the identification when checking in for your flights. Each airline and conference? flight has its own weight/balance restrictions. If the luggage Members of the 2018 NWT allowance for your flight is known by the NWTTA, it was included Some expenses can be claimed by GNWT members. A Conference Educators’ Conference on the flight/hotel information provided to LROs. For those people Expense Claim Form will be available online prior to the conference committee are: Caroline Roux flying on a charter, know that you may be required to weigh in at and printed copies at the conference registration desk. Receipts - YK1; Colin Pybus - Beaufort- check-in for the airline to ensure the flight operates safely within are required for all claims. Conference Expense Claims will be aircraft capabilities. Your flight may not have luggage/cargo capacity processed after the conference is complete and reimbursed through Delta; Devin Roberts - South to carry back items you purchase in Yellowknife; check with your electronic funds transfer. Slave; Jenny Reid - YCS; Karen airline for your luggage allowance if necessary. Gelderman - Tlicho; Lea Here is what IS eligible for conference expenses: Lamoureux - Kaw Tee Whee; Most flights will be met by an NWTTA conference representative • taxi to/from airport in home community and taxi to/from Pam Walsh - Fort Smith, Val who will direct delegates to shuttle busses once you collect your airport-hotel in Yellowknife if no shuttle bus was provided checked luggage. You will need to know which hotel you are staying Gendron - Dehcho and Crystal at. If nobody from the NWTTA meets your flight, please take a taxi • child care to a maximum of $25/day Blackler - ECE. We have also hired to your hotel, requesting a receipt from the driver. Save the receipt • those from outside of Yellowknife who are driving to the Bottomline Event Planners - Lona as you will be able to claim the expense after the conference is conference (no receipts required - payment will be based on Collins, Lisa Tesar, Shannon Graf complete. GNWT distance grid) and Rockstar website coordinator, Sarah Camsell.

12 NWTTANWTTA NEWS NEWS • FEBRUARY• APRIL 2017 2018 NWTTANWTTA NEWS NEWS • FEBRUARY• APRIL 2017 2018 13 The story behind William McDonald School Anti-Bullying Video Teresa Martin, École William McDonald Middle School Bully student by: Lana Sanders “Step up, so others don’t get stepped on.” She was my shadow Our school objective is to raise awareness of important causes, such as bullying. In creating this video, we are She was my big down fall now one step closer to our goal: She was the weight that is bringing me down A bully-free school! She was my dark alleyway where I dare not go Where everyone is accepted and valued as they are. She was always making sure that I do not get my way So, École William McDonald Middle School (WMS) She was making me seem like I do not matter when I do Me to We team decided to create this video. Which is impactful yet positive. But no more

There is a significance behind our video idea. I stood up for my rights

By covering our faces, we demonstrate the harsh effects And I spoke from the heart that victims endure every day. They all feel weak, worthless and unvalued. Bullying is a terrible cycle. I said my piece

“She was the dark alleyway, I dared not go.” Poem - Lana And now I am free Sanders So speak up BUT…

HOPE can be found! There is hope at the end of every tunnel! PDF newsletter: click on below image to view video Paper newsletter, video URL: https://goo.gl/8LWbAi By taking down our hands, we broke down those walls. We stood up for ourselves. We spoke up to the bully and we found peace!

We all deserve to be treated with respect. No one ever should be treated in any other way.

Our next step is the “Letter to a Stranger” campaign. As a school we will be writing these letters. Then posting them around Yellowknife. These letters will be addressing causes in our society.

Nothing would have been possible without the ongoing support of the WMS Me to We group. Also with our amazing videographer Allison Ansty. Finally, with the constant help of Melanie Parisella, our advisor, and mentor.

Thank You! Be You. Be Brave. Be Heard. Let’s End Bullying Together!

14 NWTTANWTTA NEWS NEWS • FEBRUARY• APRIL 2017 2018 NWTTANWTTA NEWS NEWS • FEBRUARY• APRIL 2017 2018 15 Understanding Your Professional Judgement A Perspective from the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario David Murphy, Assistant Executive Director To help you clarify professional judgement, please download the ETFO pamphlet, Understanding Recently I attended the Canadian Teachers’ Federation Professional Judgement, 2016. The document explores National Staff Meeting and had the opportunity to the legislative requirements of teachers’ roles in areas participate in a number of professional development where there is little room to exercise professional opportunities. One of these opportunities was a judgement. It also explores those areas where teachers presentation by the Elementary Teachers’ Federation may make conscious decisions based upon their of Ontario (ETFO) with a focus on teacher professional professional judgement. A chart is included in the judgement. ETFO had been advocating for the booklet that provides an overview of some areas which recognition of teacher professional judgment for years, raise issues of professional judgement that teachers especially in the areas of assessment and reporting. may be called upon to exercise.

ETFO has been successful in having the definition The chart below contains examples from the online of teacher professional judgement included in their booklet that illustrates where teachers may or may collective agreement. Their definition of teacher not have room to exercise professional judgement professional judgement is as follows: depending on the circumstances. If you have an “Professional Judgement shall be defined as opportunity to download and read the booklets, please judgement that is informed by professional knowledge take time to reflect on the professional judgement of curriculum expectations, context, evidence of decisions you make in your current situation. I would learning, methods of instruction and assessment, and welcome any feedback about this topic that you would the criteria and standards that indicate success in like to share with me. student learning. In professional practice, judgement These are generally considered These are generally considered involves a purposeful and systematic thinking process to be examples of areas where to be examples of areas where that evolves in terms of accuracy and insight with there may be LESS room for there may be MORE room for ongoing reflection and self-correction.” the exercise of professional the exercise of professional judgement depending on the judgement depending on the ETFO believes the inclusion of this definition in their circumstance. circumstance. collective agreement is a significant win for the Following legislation teaching profession as it supports their members (Education Act, human rights, health and safety, etc) in making decisions based on their knowledge Following school budget and Determining the specific items of assessment and recognizes the value of their board spending guidelines you wish to purchase for your members’ wisdom and experience in all areas of their classroom based upon board/ teaching practice. ETFO provincial staff have prepared school spending guidelines resources and workshops to support their members in Following Individual Education Implementing the strategies for developing a deeper awareness and understanding of Plans differentiating instruction and professional judgement and how to exercise it. assessments Teaching the curriculum for the Determining the instructional One ETFO document, “Understanding your Professional subjects strategies and appropriate Judgement”, is designed to assist teachers understand technologies to deliver the curriculum that professional judgement is an important concept Completing lesson plans and Determining the format and for educators and that it is a right that comes with long-range plans content for lesson plans and responsibility. ETFO believes it is important for their long range plans members to understand what professional judgement Attending meetings with school The timing of meetings with means, when it may be exercised and what steps to administrators administrators take if they believe their ability to use professional Following the school or board Choosing the frequency, judgement is being curtailed. Another document also assessment and evaluation timing, methods and types of produced by ETFO is a parent pamphlet, “Teacher guidelines assessment and evaluation used to measure student Professional Judgement Matters”, in which it explains learning. to parents that teachers using their professional judgement contributes to building better schools.

16 NWTTANWTTA NEWS NEWS • FEBRUARY• APRIL 2017 2018 NWTTANWTTA NEWS NEWS • FEBRUARY• APRIL 2017 2018 17 How do I get involved Northern Lights Holiday Meals Northern Lights with the NWTTA? in Norman Wells Fraser Oliver, President Mackenzie Mountain School (Sahtu region) Meet teachers Jeff Milligan and Gregor McGregor Meet There are many ways NWTTA members can get involved started a food bank for Norman Wells this year. in the Association. One of the most important roles Jessie Campbell Gizelle Gaudon from Tulita (Sahtu region) For the 2017 Christmas season they were able to members can perform to be involved in the NWTTA is to from Yellowknife (YCS region) distribute twenty full holiday meals to community participate in regular member meetings. Each region Q. Where did you grow members that needed a bit of extra help. Q. Where did you grow up? holds regular member meetings. Some, like Fort Smith up? and the two Yellowknife regions, can hold a face-to-face I grew up in a small town Tulita The food bank program is possible thanks to meeting with all their members as they are in the same donations from local organizations, students, in western Newfoundland communities. The other five regions hold their member Q. What do you teach? staff at the school and community members. The called Port au Port. I moved to meetings by teleconference call, where the LRO and Yellowknife in January 2000 and have been here ever I taught for six years and I am currently the first food bank was hosted in the fall of 2017 for members call in and the meeting is conducted over the since. regional TLC coordinator for the Sahtu Divisional Thanksgiving. phone. Q. What made you decide to become a teacher? Education board. Jeff decided to start the program after reading When I was little, I often played school with my dolls Members can also be involved by simply filling out any Q. What do you enjoy most about teaching? about social justice and poverty in his Masters surveys they receive from Central Office. It is important class while studying at Memorial University. and teddy bears…must have been destiny! I enjoy watching students learn their language for members to share their concerns or issues with other Q. What do you teach? members and their Regional Executive. The more our and culture. Watching the smiles when the A message from Jeff: I have taught grades 2-7 at École St. Joseph School and membership is engaged, involved and included, the student is successful Weledeh Catholic School. I am currently the Literacy stronger the Association. “The North has been extremely good to me Students need to know their identity during my seven years here and I thought it Support Teacher at Weledeh Catholic School. Members may also want to get involved in the I really believe that students need to know their was time to try to give back a bit on a local Q. What do you enjoy most about teaching? Association by taking on a leadership role, as listed identity to be successful. Teaching students level.” Like most teachers, I enjoy that moment when a below: about their language and culture and to be proud of who they are is one of the most satisfying student realizes they can read, add, subtract or Elected Positions: achievements that I have known. Teaching a child accomplish something they have been working “ayíí duwe”. on. Those moments, in such a busy and fast paced 1. Members can run for Central Executive positions workplace, are what make the career rewarding. As my for a two year term (2018-2020). Nomination career progresses, it is great to see former students in deadline: February 15 the community starting their careers. 2. Members can run for Regional Executive positions 2. The following are the NWTTA Ad Hoc Q. How do you engage your students? for a one or two year term. Elections will be held Committees: Property Management, I enjoy integrating technology in my classroom and regionally in April or May 2018. Wellness. finding ways for students to show their learning through technology tools. I enjoy having students Local Receiving Officer (LRO): 3. The following are the NWTTA Joint Committees with ECE: Central Professional collaborate on projects and gain independence on Selected by the school staff. Development, Student Success Initiative, NWT tasks in the classroom. When students are interested Teacher Qualification Service. in what they are doing, they become engaged in their NWTTA Committee Member - Appointed positions for work. I try to make their assignments applicable and a 2 year term. Members can put their names forward to Members are always welcome to contact Central relevant to them. serve on any of the NWTTA’s Committees. An application Office with any questions or concerns they may I Feel Fortunate notice to forward your name to Central Office will be have. sent out in March 2018. See committee list below: I’ve learned so much from students and teachers while For more information on how you can get involved working in the north. I saw a note on a colleague’s desk 1. The following are the NWTTA Standing in the NWTTA you can visit our website or contact some years ago that said “I am the only grade 3 teacher Committees: Indigenous Educators and NWTTA President Fraser Oliver. they will have”. I think about this message often. The Leadership Council, Curriculum, Discipline, impact of the relationships we develop with students Finance, Legislation, Professional Relations, Public Email: [email protected] is long lasting and an important part of teaching. I Relations, Status of Women, School Administrators’ Office: (867) 873-8501 Teacher Jeff Milligan with his wife Janelle at the feel fortunate to have met and worked with so many Council, Small Communities and Teacher Welfare. Mobile: (867) 447-3636 Thanksgiving food bank wonderful students!

18 NWTTA NEWS • FEBRUARY 2018 NWTTANWTTA NEWS NEWS • FEBRUARY• APRIL 2017 2018 19 Catching Up NWTTA Members’ Life Events Send your Catching Up life events for future newsletters to [email protected] Congratulations to the following in Educational Leadership and Rosa Mantla (Tłįcho CSA, Tłįcho GNWT NWTTA members who Administration from St. Francis region) - Master of Education, recently received their Masters in Xavier University Tłįcho Worldview: The Role of Education: Language in Tłįcho Puberty Camps Michèle Tomasino (Mangilaluk from University of Victoria Denise Lipscombe (East Three School, Beaufort-Delta region) Secondary School, Beaufort-Delta Master of Education in Curriculum region) - Maîtrise en éducation Studies from the University of Please send updates of any administration Université de Saint- Victoria. The title of her thesis significant Professional Development achievement to Amanda Mallon Boniface is First Nations Earth Science ([email protected]) Matthew Miller (East Three 11: Place-Based Secondary Elementary & Secondary Schools, Science Education Incorporating Beaufort-Delta region) Masters Indigenous Knowledge

GNWT Education Leave Application Deadline: March 1, 2018 at 5:00 pm Amanda Mallon, Professional Development Coordinator The NWTTA member arranges to stay and study via A GNWT teacher with four (4) or more continuous years distance while in the geographic region of the NWT, the of teaching experience as a NWTTA member with the member shall receive: Government of the Northwest Territories may be granted • tuition Education Leave for professional purposes for one (1) year • an allowance of seventy-five percent (75%) of to attend a recognized accredited institution for additional current salary or 75% of category V maximum on education and training on a full time basis. There are the GNWT salary grid, whichever is the lesser. basically three different categories of Ed Leaves: • no travel and removal expenses. 1. Education Leave With Allowances (LWA) Onsite year of study 3. Education Leave Without Allowances (LWOA) The NWTTA member leaves their teaching home The NWTTA member leaves their home to attend the community to attend the educational institution, the educational institution, the member shall receive: member shall receive: • tuition • tuition • return travel and removal (out and back at 1.5 • travel and removal expenses from their place of removal from Article B3) expenses to their place of employment to the location of the educational employment institution GNWT NWTTA members are reminded that the deadline to • return travel and removal (out and back at 1.5 apply for Education Leave With and Without Allowances removal from Article B3) expenses to their place of for the 2018-2019 year is March 1, 2018 at 5pm. employment. Online newsletter: Click here for information about the • an allowance of sixty percent (60%) of current leaves salary or sixty percent (60%) of Category V Click here for Application Form Click here for Scoring maximum on the GNWT salary grid, whichever is the Rubric. Printed newsletter: to receive the Application lesser. Form in MS Word format or for more information, contact 2. Education Leave With Allowances (LWA) Online year of Amanda Mallon at [email protected], Phone: 867-873-5759 study

20 NWTTANWTTA NEWS NEWS • FEBRUARY• APRIL 2017 2018 NWTTANWTTA NEWS NEWS • FEBRUARY• APRIL 2017 2018 21 Northern Lights Newsletter Trivia

Meet Send your answers to the trivia questions below to Angie Fabien [email protected] with subject Trivia. from Fort Resolution (South Trivia answers are contained within this edition of the Slave region) newsletter. Newsletter Trivia contests are open to active NWTTA members. Q. Where did you grow up? Deadline for entries: March 5, 2018 I grew up in Fort Resolution, N.T. Q. What made you decide to become a teacher? I’ve worked with education for 23 years, starting as a janitor, then worked with special needs and culture instructor. I set up summer, winter, spring camps. I was offered the Aboriginal language position. Our language had been shelved with only a few elders speaking Chipewyan. I was part of a team who won an award for publishing a Chipewyan dictionary to revitalize the language. Our language has been brought to life with our students, parents and non-Aboriginal staff.

Q. What do you teach? Win a $50 Tim Horton’s Gift Card! I teach the Chipewyan language. 1. How is STIP time divided 50/50? Q. What do you enjoy most about teaching? I enjoy teaching my Chipewyan language 2. Who is one of Canada’s Outstanding Principals for and when I teach, I teach from my heart. It’s a 2018? challenge, and I enjoy the challenge, making a difference in students’ lives, to hear little 3. What is the Food First Foundation’s cooking program Junior Kindergarten students to grade 12 called? speak. I always tell my students to be loud and proud of who they are as Dene people. 4. What is the deadline for nominations to be received at Central Office for Central Executive 2018-2020? Q. How do you engage your students? I engage my students by using different strategies such as hands-on, visuals, audio, reading, writing, singing, playing games. Kirstin Prescott from École Sir John Franklin High School in Yellowknife (YK1 region) won the December Using their language, giving back 2017 Newsletter Trivia! I experience great joy when parents and grandparents tell me their child is using the language at home, teaching their younger brothers and sister. Students can say their opening prayer and sing Christmas songs at Newsletter cover photo: the elders’ Christmas feast, giving back to the 2015 NWT Educators’ Conference participants during elders. In our community we have a saying outdoor activity session. eschia, meaning ‘take it easy’. Mársi cho. Thá huná. Thank you. May you live long.

22 NWTTA NEWS • FEBRUARY 2018 NWTTANWTTA NEWS NEWS • FEBRUARY• APRIL 2017 2018 23 2016-2018 Central Office Contact Central Executive P.O. Box 2340, 5018-48 Street, Yellowknife, NT X1A 2P7 Fraser Oliver President Phone: 867-873-8501 [email protected] Fax: 867-873-2366 Email: [email protected] Matthew Miller www.nwtta.nt.ca Vice President OFFICE HOURS [email protected] Monday – Thursday: 8:30 am – 5:00 pm Friday: 8:30 am – 4:30 pm Lenny Hill Secretary-Treasurer NWTTA PERSONNEL [email protected] Denise Works Administrative Assistant Sonia Gregory [email protected] Member-at-Large [email protected] André Corbeil Finance & Communications Officer Todd Sturgeon [email protected] Regional Presidents’ Representative Phone: 867-873-5711 [email protected] Amanda Mallon Professional Development Coordinator [email protected] Phone: 867-873-5759 Fax: 867-873-2590 FOR URGENT MEMBER ASSISTANCE CONTACT: Adrien Amirault Executive Director [email protected] Mobile 867-446-8825 David Murphy Assistant Executive Director [email protected] Mobile: 867-444-0253 Fraser Oliver President [email protected] Mobile: 867-447-3636

24 NWTTA NEWS • FEBRUARY 2018